Ruth asks…
Is a propane fueled fuel cell capable of replacing grid power for home use commercially available?
I want to disconnect from “the grid” and generate my own power on a continuous basis using propane for fuel. Most commercially available fuel cells for electrical generation are for back-up power only and require pure hydrogen to operate. I don’t know why the industry isn’t interested in the home market, but there seems to be no effort spent on this. If you know of any company that is working on this or currently has such a fuel cell, please provide details. Thanks.
admin answers:
There are a couple of vendors with home units available. Honda is one of them. They are very pricey and the electricity they generate may not be cheaper than the grid yet.
John asks…
What actually moves a fuel cell powered car?
I am going to sum up the information that I already know about fuel cell powered car. What I need is for someone to correct me if I am wrong.
Ok, from what I know these fuel cells generate electricity. They generate electricity by combining Hydrogen and oxygen. Which produces a by product of water and heat. Then the electricity that is generated is then used power electric motor which does the actual work of moving the car.
If this info is correct, then it leads me to my next question. Could you power a electric car ,that is either factory or converted, using a fuel cell.
admin answers:
You are correct. Whether you could power a car depends on how much power your fuel cell puts out and how much power the car needs.
Lizzie asks…
Would a 16 gallon fuel cell be alright in a hot rod? How do they work?
I have a 60′s car and the original fuel tank is almost rusted away and most likely has lead gas in it. So I’m wandering would a fuel cell be a good idea? Also how they work? What else would I need besides the fuel cell?
admin answers:
A fuel cell is a great way to go…You,ll need to buy the correct ansi fittings,and steel braided fuel line toi run it to the motor,,,It,s also a good idea to run a electric fuel pump also….www.summitracing.com came help you out…I used their cell on my 440 powered 67 gtx…You may be able to find a replacement tank…It,ll be cheaper and alot less work…It does look pretty cool when you open the trunk and there is a RCI fuel cell in the back!!!Go for it!!!
Lisa asks…
How does the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce energy in a fuel cell differ from direct combustion?
A. It is much easier to control the hydrogen and oxygen during direct combustion than during their reaction in a fuel cell.
B. Much less heat energy is produced in a fuel cell than via direct combustion of hydrogen and oxygen.
C. In the fuel cell, there is an oxidation-reduction reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. In the direct combustion of hydrogen and oxygen, there is no such reaction.
D. The direct combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces several different products, whereas the fuel cell produces only water.
admin answers:
2H2 + O2 –> 2H2O …. The same reaction occurs in both combustion and a fuel cell.
None of your answers are particularly satisfying, even the one that the question writer thinks is correct, which is (B).
While it is true that much less heat is produced in the fuel cell, the question implies that there is less energy change in the fuel cell. That simply isn’t true. The change in energy is the same regardless of whether the reaction occurs in an instant, as in the explosive combustion of H2 and O2, or over a much longer time, as with the exchange of protons and the corresponding movement of electrons, in a fuel cell. The only difference is the time interval over which the chemical change occurs, the rate of reaction.
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